Tour de Cure Portland 2010

Hello Everybody!
I rarely post but lurk a lot, learning tons from all of you. Now I'm wondering if anybody has any information or experience with the Portland route for this year's Tour de Cure.I've never done a ride like this but am diabetic and angry about it. I haven't ridden my bike in over a year but am dying to get back on it, and thinking this may be a great motivational goal. I also realize I bought the wrong bike when I bought my first road bike. I got a Specialized Dolce elite, which is a lovely bike, but it's too fast and twitchy for me. We live in an area with rather bumpy roads and hills so I'm thinking a touring bike would be better for me. I've read a lot about the Jamis Aurora and think this might be the style of bike that would be more suitable for longer rides. And, I'm hoping a little more forgiving on the road for long rides like this. I also looked at the Salsa Casseroll. Does anybody have any experience with this bike, and would it be suitable for long days in the saddle?
Thanks for any input on bikes and especially this particular ride.